Construction begins on the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline

Victorian Premier John Brumby turned the first sod for the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline; the largest infrastructure project in Barwon Water's 100 year history.

Mr Brumby said the pipeline will boost Geelong's water supplies by 50% by the end of 2012 and ensure local towns would be spared from harsh water restrictions in the future.

The 59 kilometre pipeline will link Barwon Water's Lovely Banks Basins in Geelong with the Melbourne system at Cowies Hill, near Werribee, so the region can share in the 150 billion litres of water the desalination plant can produce each year.

The Victorian Government has committed $20 million towards the project, with Barwon Water funding the balance of the $137.9 million project.